Kendall Square praised for its past and future as an exemplary innovation district

We are proud to announce that the Congress for the New Urbanism presented their 2014 Charter Award for Best Urban Infill to Goody Clancy and the City of Cambridge for the Kendall Square Planning Study. Kendall Square has long been praised for its success in attracting innovation businesses, including recent recognition from the Brookings Institute which recognizes the district as an exemplary model for growing a successful innovation district, but the district suffers from anonymity due to lack of housing, single-use buildings with large floor plates, and auto-oriented streetscapes.The study positions the city to grow further as a globally significant source of innovation, while incorporating a greater variety of public spaces and development designed for people. Over the next ten years, 4 million square feet will become available for mixed-income housing, retail space, cultural space, and public use. “From its current disparate and disconnected reality,” jury member Will Bruder says, “the proposal would create a memorable sense of place through the innovate redevelopment of empty lots and voids in the neighborhood fabric.” In presenting the award, Jury Chair Jeff Speck noted how much the jury valued the plan’s emphasis on good communication with stakeholders to build consensus for issues such as density and building form.

For more information on 2014 Charter Award honorees, click HERE.